Teens to head to Philippines to complete building project

The Alternative to Schoolies program has almost reached its fundraising goal after hosting a film night on Saturday where a generous donation was also presented.

Program co-ordinator Geraldine Edar-Ralph said they had $1500 left to raise to complete the school boarding school facility, prior to their November visit.

Ms Edar-Ralph thanked movie fundraiser attendees for helping raise more than $1100 towards the annual trip to Indangan in the Buhangine District region.

Goal: South west teens will head to the Philippines next month to continue work on a school orphanage boarding school in Indangan in the Buhangine District region. It is hoped the the project will be completed to lock-up stage during the 14-day visit.

Ms Edar-Ralph said their efforts were boosted by a $2500 donation from a past participant who couldn’t attend this year’s trip.

She didn’t believe the teenage boy when he first presented her with the money. “It was really amazing. His heart is in the right place that’s for sure,” she said.

The program has been running since 2010 and teaches 17 and 18-year-olds new skills, while working in the developing area.

“We are in the vicinity of (raising) $12,000 now which isn’t bad considering we haven’t done any major fundraising,” she said.

Ms Edar-Ralph thanked the Koroit Lions Club, Mortlake Rotary Club and the Warrnambool rotary clubs for their support and donations.

She said the project enabled the service clubs to support an international project, while also investing in the young south-west residents. Other supporters include local trusts, Origin Energy and Coles Coaches. The young participants each contribute $200 towards the project’s building costs.

“The south-west community has raised the bulk of it. Twenty dollars here and there really does add up. That’s how we’ve raised the money.

“People have been very generous donating $20 or whatever they can afford.”

The group hope to have the two-storey building, which was started last year, at lock-up stage by the end of their visit.